Angiology
Medical specialty of the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Angiology is the medical specialty dedicated to studying the circulatory system and the lymphatic system, including arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. In the UK, the field is more often termed angiology, while in the United States the term vascular medicine is more frequent. The field deals with preventing, diagnosing, and treating lymphatic and blood vessel related diseases.
- field
- Medical specialty (circulatory and lymphatic systems)
- also known as
- Vascular medicine (in the United States)
- focus
- Arterial, venous, and lymphatic diseases
- training regions
- Europe and the United States
- key organizations
- Society for Vascular Medicine; VAS - Vascular Independent Research and Education - European Organisation
Lore & Background
Angiology covers arterial diseases including the aorta (aneurysms/dissection) and arteries supplying the legs, hands, kidneys, brain, and intestines, as well as arterial thrombosis, embolism, vasculitides, and vasospastic disorders. It also deals with preventing cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Venous diseases include venous thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, and varicose veins, while lymphatic diseases include primary and secondary forms of lymphedema. The specialty involves modification of risk factors for vascular disease like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Reader's Guide
Angiology, or vascular medicine, is significant for its comprehensive approach to disorders of blood and lymphatic vessels. It addresses major causes of morbidity and mortality, including heart attack, stroke, and venous thromboembolism. The specialty's legacy lies in its integration of risk factor modification and disease management, offering a dedicated pathway for internal medicine specialists and cardiologists.
Did You Know?
- The term angiology comes from Greek ἀγγεῖον (angeīon, 'vessel') and -λογία (-logia).
- In the UK the field is more often termed angiology; in the United States the term vascular medicine is more frequent.
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